5.21: The Ecstatic World of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda

What else can we say about Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda that hasn’t been said? While the last name immediately evokes memories of our favorite John Coltrane records, Alice’s own unique style is also a force to be reckoned with. With a catalog that stretches from 1957, to the beloved Impulse recordings of the ’70s, and her brilliant self-released cassette albums of the ’80s Alice Coltrane was a prolific composer whose output was only matched by her eclectic style. Inspired by the gospel music of her upbringing, she mixed the traditional Indian music from her religious practice creating a sound that is unmistakably hers.

Ten years since her passing — in what would have been 80th birthday — Red Bull Music Academy celebrates her life and music at the Knockdown Center in Queens. Kicking off the event during sunset with spiritual music performed by a ensemble led by Surya Botofasina and The Sai Anantham Singers. After blessing the festivities, the event then moves on to a concert led by her son, Ravi Coltrane, as he leads an stellar cast of musicians (including harpist Brandee Younger) to play original music from Alice’s career.